Contacts: In Washington: Alejandra Viveros (202) 473-4306 aviveros@worldbank.org In Brasília: Mauro Azeredo (55-61) 329-1059 mazeredo@worldbank.org
BRASILIA, December 15, 2005 – After meeting with President Lula, World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz praised Brazil’s economy and social progress, and pledged to continue the World Bank’s support for improving the lives of Brazil’s poorest people.
“Brazil has made real progress in achieving economic stability by maintaining fiscal control, with benefits for many,including the poor,” Mr. Wolfowitz said. “The government has shown that progress must rest on two pillars – economic disciplineand a focus on important social issues.”
During the meeting with President Lula, Mr. Wolfowitz stressed the Bank will continue to support middle-income countries, such as Brazil, where high levels of poverty and inequality persist, despite economic stability. He noted the partnership between Brazil and the World Bank is bearing fruit -- pointing to the Bolsa-Familia program, which is providing a minimum level of income for 8 million poor families in Brazil.
“There is growing evidence that Brazil is reducing poverty and inequality, through a combination of sound economic policies and pro-poor programs, such as Bolsa-Familia. The Bank is proud to have played a role in supporting such programs,” he added.
Mr. Wolfowitz also commended Brazil’s strong leadership role on the international trade agenda, by pressing for increased agricultural liberalization in the developed world.
“Brazil is an industrial and technological leader whose products, ranging from soybeans to aircraft are widely exported. Fair trade is vital for development and poverty reduction,” he said.
While world trade talks continue in Hong Kong, Mr. Wolfowitz stated again there must be meaningful agricultural reforms, including cuts to subsidies, or the world’s poor will suffer the most.
Mr. Wolfowitz arrived today in Brazil on his first official visit to Latin America as President of the World Bank. On his arrival in Brasilia, Mr. Wolfowitz said that the purpose of his trip was to to learn from Brazil’s experiences in dealing successfuly with global development challenges so he can share that experience with other countries.
“ I want to learn from Brazil’s experience with some of the pressing challenges that are all too common to other emerging countries, such as the need to overcome poverty and inequality; the need to ensure sustainable development while protecting the environment; and serious health threats such as HIV/AIDS,” he said.
President Lula thanked Mr. Wolfowitz for visiting Brazil early in his tenure and praised Brazil’s strong relationship with the World Bank.
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